Maldives This Week: 8 – 14 July 2021
Taxes introduced and repealed, signs of future political upheavals and completion of the parliament inquiry into 6 May attack.
MFR Graphic
On 11 July, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified a bill repealing the law on the use of revenue stamps on official state documents. The President also ratified amendments to the Airport Taxes and Fees Act, which introduces a Departure Tax to be levied on all passengers departing the Maldives via airports. On 8 July, the Maldivian parliament approved amendments to the Income Tax Act, which gives exemption powers to the President.
On 12 July, President Solih met with members of the National Security Council to discuss the parliament's inquiry report in the 6 May attack against Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed. On 11 July, when presented with the report, the President committed to work on reforms to resolve the issues noted in the report. The parliament approved the inquiry report on 9 July, with fifty-eight votes. The inquiry noted negligence on the part of Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi and Home Minister Imran Abdulla.
On 12 July, the Government of Maldives signed a USD49.95 million loan agreement with Kuwait Fund for the development of the Velana International Airport.
On 13 July, President Solih appointed Hussein Niyazi as the new Auditor General.
On 13 July, Minster of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid announced the donation of Covid-19 vaccines to the Maldives by the Government of Japan through the COVAX facility.
On 13 July, leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party Mohamed Nasheed indicated that the party needed a new alliance, one with parties that supported moderate religious views and did not call to oust Indian presence from the Maldives. He added that he believed the majority of opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) shared these views. Opposition leaders, however, said they did not want to work with the former president and the MDP. On 12 July, Nasheed said he did not believe he could continue to work in politics with President Solih. On 13 July, Spokesperson at The President's Office Mohamed Mabrook Azeez denied reports that President Solih was a part of the new political party being established by former defence minister Mohamed Nazim. He said the President was currently focused on delivering on the pledges made by his government.
